Little Falls transcript., 1887-06-03
Street Of the Burnt Woman.
A Legend Of Mexico.

A Wel!-known street OF the Mexican
capital is La Gale de Ia Quemada, Or
"the Street of the Burnt Woman"
whose romantic story is told in an
ancient parchment document, dnsty
and long forgotten.
1t was two centuries ago that the
actors in this drama lived and moved
and had their being, but the story of
their lives comes down to US ofto-day
full OF fresh and vivid memory, as of
people we might know. And strange
ly enough it is q pleasant story, too,
Notwithstanding it's dark stain OF hui.
man suffering; perhaps because, tragic
as were the events, the outcome of in
tense passion, they partook not of
the taint Of intrigue, of treachery and
dishonor, that too often characterized
the love affairs of the hot-blooded
Spanards. For this is a. story OF love
and heroic sacrifice, and the lessons it
teaches are all sweet and wholesome.
Maria Anaya was one OF the love-
iest ,naidens OF Nueva Hispana.
Hers Was that rare beauty, at once
glowing and gentle, that fills the hearts
OF men and women alike with yearn-
ing tenderness. "On her sweet face a
blessing!" said q hideous beggar crone,
one day on the Paseo, turning to look
after the girl; "it would warm
my heart to clasp her in my arms.
The day seems brighter, the world
seems better, since she came near. I
long to serve her-to put myself be-
tween her and some danger.'
In short, Marina was one of the few
beings gifted with the faculty of win
ming the love of all. She lad not an
enemy in the world. She lived a SIM
pie life enough in the home of her par
elats, making their lives bright, going
her daily round with an even cheerful
ness OF spirit, and gladly taking her
share OF such amusement and social
sunshine as was possible with the wom-
ell OF her day and race. She was no
saint, Marina, but neither was she q
coquette, ascold, q bigot, nor an empty.
headed doll-but a sweet. true, pure
minded woman. 1t was deemed strange,
III her wide circle OF acquaintance. that
Marina had no lover. Suitors had
she galore, to choose from whom she
needed but to raise her finger. But
she elected not to choose. "Why should
wed?' she would say when question:
cd with urgence, simply to haye a
husband? But what is a. husband
worth if he be not dear? And better
that I live to robe the saints, as is
our saying, than to marry but that it
is the custom, and afterward meet one
to whom all the heart goes forth. Ay
Dios! what misery: Nay! nay! I think
my parents love me; and, until they
send me from their home, I will not
marry, unless I come to love-" And
in that day, to follow course requir-
ed even more than to-day Of frmness,
resou' ion, and singleness of purpose.
Marina had her reward. There
came 81 change in the vice-royalty-
the viceroys were changed sometimes;
the regal master occasionally opin-
ed that his representative thought
OF the subject first; and now
and again one embarked for an
other kingdom, to render there a.
count OF his earthly craftsmanship.
Thus, Il new viceroy came to Mexico,
and with him, came Leonel de la Mon
tana, q comely youth OF ancient lin
cage, especially detailed by Philip the
Second for the Journey: to the new
world. He was noble, handsome rich.
Was aught else lacking? Midst thedis.
solute youth OF the day might one look
for saint? Such, indeed, was not
Leonel de la Montana; he was a, SOL
dier, who had fought we'll and to his
own fame in the campaigns of Flan-
ders, and he had q soldiers faults.
But he was also a brave and Knight
ly man, whose sins were never base
nor loathsome, and, judged by the
standard Of the time, he was excep-
tional as to honor and morals. '.sF
He met Marino soon after his arriv-
. al, who shall say how and where2 on,
the paseo Of those days, at church, Or
at one of the infrequent tertuIias Of
the time? And from the first time he
saw her, he lived and breathed butfor
Marina Anaya, and he made his
court with such eager assiduity that
they were soon betrothed. And Ma,
rina found in her lover the fulfillment
of her ideal, the srealization OF that
standard, lacking which she had been
4 content to live unwedded. Her every
wish and aspiration were satisfied by
the excellences Of Leonel. II only che
4 could persuade him that such was the
truth! For the one thing that marred'
her perfect happiness, the one blemish
in . character otherwise all sym
& metrical, was the terrible strain
I OF jealousy in his nature. It
may havs been the proverbial modes
ty Of the true lover, making him feel a
sense OF his own unwotth thinass But
d whatever the motive, it seemed to him
j, impossible that hs should. keep the
love of Marina, widely beloved and
& charming as she was. When he ga1ed
upon her, he could not believe that she.
should not be tickle, armed with the
& power her beauty gave her, and il
mad dened him TO think her heart
might sWerye To and thor.
An immediate marriage night have
& 1atisfied him of the good faith of Ma.
bait Just alter the abetrot thAl tho
& s1eath of D distant rela ativs threw the
Il llnlyas into motrning sitter the fash-
lkDn at the ;rigorous etiquette oi the
ls